Skills and Projects During Your Internship

During your internship at Rainforest Inn, you will have a myriad of things to do. The internship isn’t limited to serving the guests breakfast and coffee and doing check-outs and check-ins. You will get more and more responsibilities during the period you’re here. Bill & Renée told me in the beginning of my internship that the main goal is getting to know all the aspects of operating and managing a bed & breakfast. So, if you don’t really know what to expect from this internship, let me tell you something about what skills you’re expected to have and what you will be doing!

The coffee station where you will practice your latte art every morning

The most important responsibility you will get here is customer service. Customer service is paramount. Every morning you will help out with the coffees and serving breakfast. Other aspects of customer service are checking out the guests in the morning and checking new guests in during the afternoon/evening. Also talking to them and helping with planing their vacation activities. As a hospitality student, it’s important that you have good social skills, chat with the guests in the morning and when checking them in. The most important part is, of course, that they feel welcome. And don’t worry when you can’t do any latte art, Bill will be happy to teach you everything about it!

During your free time, Bill & Renée will be happy to show you some places on the island, such as Luquillo Beach!

Another skill that you’re expected to have is that you know something about communication or marketing. Rainforest Inn uses all kinds of marketing tools to reach a wider audience. A variety of social media is used such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok… The website where you’re reading this blogpost right now is something that comes with lots of work. A lot of effort is put into all of the information you can find on here. Aside from this blog for interns, there’s the Innkeepers Blog, used to reach future guests! So obviously, helping out with their marketing is something you will have to do. Every day you’ll have some free hours, and some days you’ll have projects as what I’m doing right now. So, you should have some communication/marketing skills. Nowadays, almost every intern has lots of digital skills, which is very useful during this internship! 

As I said before, they want to show you all the aspects of running your own Bed & Breakfast. So being open-minded, being prepared to do something extra is something that’s part of the job. You will have days where you may have to help the staff, make lunch for the guests or do some other extra things. These won’t be things you will have to do every day, but it’s important you know how everything is done so whenever there is too much work, you can help out where needed. You will learn learn all aspects of operating a boutique bed and breakfast..

7 Days in Heaven

Sarai (Me) on the left side of the photo, my best friend Jesstyn is in the middle, and my good friend Henrietta is on the right!

I could only imagine the joy I’d feel once I took my first steps off of the plane landing at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. The air was much clearer than what I’d previously become accustomed to in Dallas, which had been dealing with fog, smog, and air quality levels that make you question whether not you should really breathe in the air around you or if you’re better off with a gas mask. After I grabbed my bags, I stepped outside and felt the relief of being back in the place that I loved visiting the most. I visited San Juan earlier this year in February for my 21st birthday with my best friend, Jesstyn, and my good friend Henrietta. We had a blast!

After visiting Puerto Rico for my birthday, I knew this was an island I wanted to come back and keep exploring. Everything from the kind people, to the culture and the views, made me fall completely in love within a span of four days

After an amazing 21st birthday trip, I got back home in Dallas and I continued on with pursuing my degree in Hospitality Management. Approaching my final year, it was finally time to decide where I would start applying for internships. It was hard to find a good fit until I came across an internship opportunity with the Rainforest Inn.

I sent over my resume and had a virtual interview through Skype with Bill and Renée. During my interview, I got to meet Sarah and Issam, who were both interns here before me, and they had nothing but great things to say! They were actually all on their way to the beach, how fun! Before I knew it, I had landed my internship and was landing at the airport!

This was the first time we ever hung out, awkward. She doesn’t look at me like this anymore.

Bill and Renée came to pick me up after I landed around 6pm. We went and got sandwiches from a place called “El Meson“ — which is a locally owned restaurant chain. I tried Renée’s favorite sandwich that she recommended, and it was really good! After we ate, we started heading to the inn and I was able to get settled. There was a drive up a long winding road into the mountain, and even though I knew I was going to a rainforest, this was when everything really sunk in. Going to sleep for the first time that night was new, as I’ve learned through personal experience now that the coquis love to sing at night (they sound like birds)! They did sing me to sleep, so much so that I slept through my alarm and was actually late for my first day (We all laughed it off but I was actually veryyy embarrassed). Luckily Bill and Renée are both very understanding people and weren’t upset with me about it at all.

On my first day, I learned how to make a cappuccino, and had a failed first attempt at latte art, but after a few failed attempts at learning how to steam milk, I finally got it down! On my first day I also met Miss. Gracie who was giving me the awkward side eye…

After making coffees and meeting Gracie for the first time, I got to sit down and try breakfast for the first time. One thing I really looked forward to coming here was trying the vegetarian breakfasts because I’d told myself prior to getting my internship that I wanted to be exposed to cooking more and more healthy options. I tried their vegetarian breakfast tacos with were absolutely phenomenal! The mango juice that went with it as well was great!

After breakfast, I got to explore the property a bit and and finally see everything in the daylight. The pictures on the website of this inn are amazing, but they really don’t do it justice. The property truly is beautiful, is the place to be for anyone who loves nature.

After I spent my first week learning how to make coffees and complimentary piña coladas, our delicious grazing boards and picnic lunch sandwiches, and also learning how to check guests in and out of the inn, I had my first set of days off! Renée dropped me off in the town of Luquillo and I spent my first day off at the beach! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a beach, and I had so much fun! Despite being alone, I felt very safe walking around.

Check out my instagram reels and TikTok below to check out my day in Luquillo and to follow my journey as an intern here!

Overall, my first 7 days at the Rainforest Inn were absolutely amazing. I had so much fun even on the days that I was working, and I’m looking forward to all of the things that I can learn, and all of the ways I can grow while I’m here. It’s been a blessing to meet Bill and Renee, who are both so supportive of my dreams and helping me grow in every way that they can possibly help with. If you check out my social media, you’ll see that while I’m in school for Hospitality Management, I’m also pursuing a career as a musical artist. They have both been so open minded, accepting, and supportive of my journey. I look forward to my growth here, but I also deeply look forward to supporting them in theirs. Cheers to my first 7 Days in Heaven, and to many more!

You can check out my "Come with me to become a Hospitality Management Intern in El Yunque" TikTok here as well!

My First Weeks as an Intern

Imagine an internship at a boutique bed & breakfast nestled in the heart of a lush rainforest in Puerto Rico. It was precisely the opportunity I stumbled upon while seeking an engaging internship in the tourism/hospitality sector. In this article, I will guide you through my application process and recount how I came to be composing this piece from the incredible Rainforest Inn!

After one week of practicing, I finally made my first latte art

This adventure began after much online research and eventually led me to the Rainforest Inn. After reading their backstory and learning about their experience hosting interns, I decided to send them my resume along with an enthusiastic email.

In no time, I received a response from the owners, Bill & Renée, asking me to schedule a video conference via Skype. This provided me with the opportunity to virtually meet them, ask questions, and get a glimpse of the property. During the call, they discussed their expectations for interns and inquired about what I hoped to achieve during my time there.

The application process and the communication I had with Bill & Renée highlighted their dedication towards the interns!

Gracie loves to help you out every morning while you’re making coffees for the guests

Even though I was already convinced, I needed the permission of my home university. I further discussed with Bill and Renée what my assignments would be, gave the information to my professor, and finally received confirmation! After signing the internship contract, it was time for the next step: arranging all the practical matters. Some necessary items for the internship include a round-trip ticket and your ID/passport. It is also crucial to have health insurance and/or travel insurance, as you never know what will happen in the future, of course!

After successfully completing the interview process, which is easy if you are interested in this industry and willing to make a full commitment, I started organizing everything to be ready for take-off! The communication with the owners was smooth and transparent, which allowed me to confidently prepare for my adventure in Puerto Rico.

Bill & Renée love to let you taste some of the sweets Puerto Rico has to offer, these are some typical coconut cookies!

This experience not only offers an engaging internship but also promises an unforgettable adventure amidst Puerto Rico’s natural beauty. For me, this application process and the communication I had with Bill & Renée highlighted their dedication towards the interns and they will be glad to help you in every step of the way. So if you’re dreaming of an internship in this incredible environment, I highly recommend this place!

A Day in the Life of a Hospitality Intern at the Rainforest Inn

Have you ever worked somewhere so beautiful?

Every day is a new experience here at the Rainforest Inn. With guests checking in and out almost every day, as well as different interns and volunteers coming and going, you’re guaranteed to meet some great people and learn something new!

We start each morning by preparing and serving coffee to our guests, and of course, we have to make a cup (or two) for ourselves. We also help serve breakfast to our guests and help out with the preparation if it’s needed. Once all of the food and drinks are served and the kitchen is cleaned, we get to take a little break for ourselves to eat breakfast.

Preparing espresso will be one of the first things you'll learn.

Serving our breakfast tacos!

What comes next after breakfast depends on the day. There will typically be a few check-outs after breakfast since our check-out time is 11:00 am. Check-outs are very simple and only take a few minutes. This will also be the time to make any lunches or grazing boards that have been ordered. We also help the staff with cleaning out the rooms of guests who have checked out, as well as refreshing the rooms for our current guests.

Vegetarian Grazing Boards can be ordered for lunch or dinner.

After guests are checked out, lunches are made, and rooms are cleaned, we get to take a break for lunch, and then start up any special projects that might need to be completed around the property. There might be a room that needs a fresh coat of paint, or a garden that needs tending to. If there aren’t any projects that need to be completed, you will have free time until it’s time to get ready for check-ins. This would be a great time to work on any homework or internship-specific projects you may have (like for me, writing this blog!). You are also welcome to do the private hike we have here on the property or take a dip in the pool if there aren’t any guests signed up to use it during your free time.

Complementary piña coladas at check-in always make the guests excited for their stay!

Guests will start checking in a 4:00 pm, but there will sometimes be early check-ins (and sometimes super late check-ins close to midnight!). We have to get all of the paperwork ready, and put together any grazing boards or flower arrangements that the guests have ordered to have in their room upon arrival. Guest check-ins are also a very simple process- we prepare complimentary piña coladas, give them a tour of the property, and answer any questions they may have.

Once the all of guests are checked in, you will be free for the rest of the evening (unless something comes up, keep your work phone close by!).

View from our private Lost Machete Hike.

Be sure to bring some good hiking shoes with you!

Unlike breakfast and lunch where you are on your own, all of the interns, volunteers, and owners come together for dinner. We like to experiment with new recipes and take turns with the preparation and cleaning. It’s always something delicious and healthy, especially if Renée is cooking!

A photo from my trip to the stunning Playa Flamenco

Every day here is going to look a bit different. Some days you’ll get to go into town with Renée to shop for supplies, some days you’ll have loads of free time, and some days you’ll be exhausted from a day full of work. The Bed & Breakfast is an extremely beautiful place, and getting days off each week to explore places like Luquillo, San Juan, and Culebra, makes this, in my opinion, one of the best hospitality internships you could find.